RECORDS: UNC comes into tonight’s Big Sky Conference opener with an 0-1 record while PSU is 1-0.

Recommended Stories For You

RANKNGS: UNC is unranked. PSU moved into The Sports Network Top 25 this week at No. 21.

THE SERIES: PSU leads the series 2-1, including a 41-17 home victory last season. UNC’s only victory over the Vikings came in 1979 when they won 21-20 at Jackson Field. PSU’s other victory in the series was a 28-21 win in the 1991 Division II playoffs.

THE COACHES: UNC is coached by Scott Downing, who is 0-1 in his first season as the Bears’ head coach. Portland State is coached by Tim Walsh, who is 84-64 in his 14th season as the Vikings’ head coach, and 111-78 in his 18th season as a college head coach.

LAST WEEK: UNC is coming off a 38-7 nonconference loss to UC Davis. Portland State scored a 17-6 upset victory over Division I Mountain West Conference member New Mexico.

NEXT WEEK: UNC will return home for a nonconference game against Western Illinois University while Portland State will travel to Berkley, Calif., and take on No. 9-ranked California.

THE BEARS ON OFFENSE: UNC was pretty one-dimensional on offense last week as junior college transfer quarterback Dominic Breazeale passed for 213 yards, completing 23-of-31 passes. He was intercepted twice. UNC does feature a strong running attack, led by senior tailback Andre Wilson, who had 116 rushing yards against the Vikings last season.The Bears had 245 yards of total offense last week, led by reserve tailback Patrick Ealy, who hauled in nine catches for 109 yards in the Bears’ altered version of the West Coast offense. UNC is without senior wide receiver Andy Birkel, who had surgery on his left knee this week, and will miss the remainder of the season.

THE VIKINGS ON OFFENSE: PSU had just 233 yard of offense last week, led by senior quarterback Sawyer Smith, who threw for 173 yards and two touchdowns. The Vikings run out of a pro set behind a big, experienced offensive line, led by the left side of senior Steve Blatchley (6-5, 320), junior Brennan Carvalho (310) and senior center Derek Duff (6-2, 325). Sawyer’s favorite receivers are Tremayne Kirkland and Brendan Ferrigno, who had five catches for 78 yards and a touchdown last week.

THE BEARS ON DEFENSE: UNC was the victim of 366 yards of offense last week, including 142 on the ground.Up front, the Bears are experienced, led by senior Jacob Carlson. The UNC linebacking crew of Cristian Sarmento (6 tackles), Asa Matthews (7 tackles), Thomas Bauer and Joe Kenney are young, but have a lot of game experience. The defensive backfield is led by seniors Jason Hildenbrand, Sirwestly Williams and Matt Thomas as well as junior Aaron Henderson.

THE VIKINGS ON DEFENSE: The Vikings limited New Mexico to only 65 rushing yards last week as Casey Tyler (6-6, 310), CJ Niusulu (6-2, 300), Matthis Gehring (6-1, 300) and Cole Smith (6-3, 265) clogged up the middle and allowed linebacker Adam Hayward to record 10 tackles and earn Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Week. The Vikings did give up 274 passing yards last week.

THE BEARS ON SPECIAL TEAMS: UNC punter Rafael Mendoza averaged 36.6 yards last week, and senior place-kicker David Dyches only attempted one field goal, falling short on a 60-yard attempt. Freshman Derek Gainey handles most of the return duties.

THE VIKINGS ON SPECIAL TEAMS: Andrew Levers averages 41.1 yards per punt while place-kicker Eric Azorr was good on a 42-yard field goal last week. Ferrigno and Kenneth Mackins handle the return duties.

INTANGIBLES: UNC has lost 11 straight on the road.

THE TRIBUNE’S PICK: The Vikings feature a lot of talent in the trenches, which might make the going tough for the Bears in a 27-10 loss.